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Lexus NX Goes Hybrid Only For 2027

Lexus NX 350h and NX 450h+ gain stronger hybrid systems, a simplified four-grade lineup, and richer cabin tech across every trim.

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury Shaded Ivy

Photo by: Lexus

Brian Potter

By: Brian Potter

Oct 20, at 7:00am ET

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Lexus confirmed the 2027 NX will drop its gas-only trim entirely. The crossover sells exclusively as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid for the first time in its history.

The automaker unveiled the updated NX on October 20, 2026, simplifying the lineup to four trims while pushing more electric power through both drivetrains.

Shoppers now pick between the NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid across Premium, Premium+, F Sport and Luxury grades. Every version gets sharper styling, a stiffer chassis and a cabin built around a bigger standard touchscreen.

Design And Four-Grade Lineup

2027 Lexus NX 350h Hybrid Luxury - Iridium

2027 Lexus NX 350h Hybrid Luxury - Iridium

Photo by: Lexus

The refresh keeps the NX's compact footprint but sharpens its face with a new dual-line headlamp signature that folds the turn signals and daytime running lights into one shape. Out back, Lexus adds its first Double L taillight treatment, flanking an illuminated logo badge.

Buyers get nine exterior colors, including three new shades: Shaded Ivy, an ash-green finish, and Incognito, a cool gray tone reserved for F Sport models. Iridium replaces last year's Atomic Silver across the lineup.

Chrome trim is largely gone too, swapped for black mirror caps and window moldings.

Inside, Lexus lines up a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with a new 14.0-inch touchscreen, part of a dashboard built around Lexus Interface software. Five interior color choices include two newcomers: Abalos, inspired by the sand dunes on Mars, and F Sport-exclusive Radiant Red.

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury Shaded Ivy

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury

Photos by: Lexus

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury Shaded Ivy

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury

Photos by: Lexus

The trim structure stays simple. Premium and Premium+ offer the NX 350h hybrid with front- or all-wheel drive, while F Sport and Luxury come standard with all-wheel drive.

The plug-in NX 450h+ pairs with all-wheel drive across every trim, and the updated NX's styling and powertrain mix carries into every one of the ten model codes Lexus has listed for 2027.

Hybrid Powertrains Gain Output And Range

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury Shaded Ivy

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury Shaded Ivy

Photo by: Lexus

Both powertrains now route power through a new e-Axle that bundles the transaxle, motor and power control unit into one lighter assembly. That change helps lower the NX's center of gravity.

Lexus also added silicon carbide semiconductors to the inverter to trim electrical losses across the system.

The NX 350h's combined output climbs to 244 horsepower, a 4-hp gain over the outgoing hybrid, with the front motor alone producing 160 hp and the rear axle motor on all-wheel-drive models adding 54 hp. Lexus says its hybrid-control software now calls for more electric assist during acceleration, which should smooth out power delivery even though straight-line performance stays close to last year's pace.

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury Shaded Ivy

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury Shaded Ivy

Photos by: Lexus

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury Shaded Ivy

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury Shaded Ivy

Photos by: Lexus

The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid sees a bigger jump. Its front motor now makes 203 hp, pushing total system output to 324 hp, up from 304 hp previously.

Lexus credits a redesigned lithium-ion battery pack for an 8 percent increase in output and an 8 percent gain in capacity over the previous unit. The extra energy goes toward stronger electric acceleration and a longer electric-only driving window.

Lexus estimates an electric-only range of about 40 miles for the plug-in hybrid, and chassis engineers reinforced the floor and suspension towers to sharpen handling.

Gallery: 2027 Lexus NX (US Spec)

2027 Lexus NX 350h Hybrid Luxury - Iridium

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2027 Lexus NX 350h Hybrid Luxury - Iridium

Source: Lexus

Cabin Tech And Driver-Assist Updates

Every 2027 NX comes standard with the 14.0-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen and 12.3-inch instrument display, running software built around a customizable home screen and simultaneous dual Bluetooth phone pairing. A built-in drive recorder and over-the-air update capability are now standard across the board.

Luxury and F Sport buyers get Sensory Concierge, a cabin system that coordinates lighting, climate, seat temperature and scent across three selectable modes labeled Inspire, Radiance and Revitalize. Lexus also offers three standalone fragrances, Shinmei, Seiyo and Hanya, that occupants can trigger independently of the preset modes.

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Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 is standard and includes adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Intersection assistance and emergency steering support carry over in their latest forms, helping the driver manage turns across traffic and sudden avoidance moves.

Lexus builds the NX 350h at plants in Ontario, Canada, and Kyushu, Japan, while the NX 450h+ comes exclusively from the Kyushu facility. Pricing for all four grades arrives closer to the on-sale date.